Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 12 • Number 39 • 19th November 2008
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CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS: CAN ASIA CHANGE THE GAME? By Christine Loh, Andrew Stevenson and Simon Tay. Civic Exchange and the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, November 2008. This book focuses on the question: how can and should Asia and the states in the region respond to the global challenge of climate change? It provides a concise overview of Asia’s concerns, aspirations, and responsibilities for the post 2012 global climate change agreement. It draws on contributions from experts in the region and around the world articulating the key issues related to encouraging Asia’s meaningful participation in negotiating and implementing the agreement. The editors and authors also provide a series of special recommendations for climate negotiators, policy-makers, and stakeholders regarding how to build cooperation within the region and between Asia and the West in developing an effective and equitable global climate change solution. Key issues examined include overall principles, ‘co-benefits’ strategies, forests, food and water, equity, cities, energy efficiency, trade, markets, and international negotiations. To access the paper, please refer to http://www.civic-exchange.org/eng/upload/files/200810_ClimateBook(1).pdf.
CONTROVERISAL POINTS IN THE DISCUSSION ON SPECIAL SAFEGUARD MECHANISM (SSM) IN THE DOHA ROUND. South Centre, November 2008. The special safeguard mechanism (SSM) is often quoted as one of the main controversial points that led to the failure of the WTO mini-ministerial process in July 2008. Technical divergences relate to key aspects of the design and operation of the mechanism but also strong political divergences among exporters and importers. The purpose of this analytical note is to explain the rationale and origins of the SSM and the main contentious issues in the current debate. To access the paper, please refer to http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1127&Itemid=68.
THE CURRENCY TRANSACTION TAX: A BOLD IDEA FOR FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT. The North-South Institute, October 2008. This four page document champions the use of a currency transaction tax (CTT) as a means to fund development and provides proof that such a tax is feasible. The briefing draws on results of research work undertaken during the past few years by the North-South Institute. To access the paper please refer to http://www.nsi-ins.ca/english/pdf/CTT.pdf.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE ASEAN-CHINA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ON THE GREATER MEKONG SUB-REGION. By Vutha Hing, Hossein Jalilian. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008. Using the free trade agreement concluded between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2004 as an example, this study seeks to illustrate the interaction between free trade agreements (FTAs), trade and the environment. Based on an analysis of the agreement’s impacts on trade flows between China and its five trading partners in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand), the paper examines the likely effects of these changes on pollution levels. A case study of Cambodia elaborates on other environmental issues arising from increases in agricultural production and natural resource exploitation. For further information, and to access this paper, please refer to http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?pno=1017.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES AND TRADE POLICY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS: A REALITY CHECK. By Veena Jha. International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, November 2008. This issue paper analyses trade data on environmental goods and services (EGS) proposed for liberalisation within the Doha Round mandate, in light of environmental knowledge generated through the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook and relevant environmental performance indices. It looks at the potential benefits of EGS negotiations for developing countries, in particular whether: (i) the import of goods proposed will help alleviate some of the pressing environmental problems of developing countries; and (ii) whether developing countries can compete successfully in these markets, at least in the medium term. An added issue is whether the losses (in terms of trade or government revenues from import tariffs), if any, from negotiations on EGS in developing countries can be offset by market opportunities gathered elsewhere in the Doha Round of negotiations. TO access the paper, please refer to http://ictsd.net/i/publications/32519/.
RIGHTS-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS AND THE GOALS OF FOOD SYSTEMS REFORM. By Molly D. Anderson. In Agriculture and Human Values, 25 (4): 593-608, 2008. This paper introduces a new concept, rights-based food systems (RBFS), and explores its connection with localisation and sustainability. The core criteria of RBFS are democratic participation in food system choices affecting more than one sector; fair, transparent access by producers to all necessary resources for food production and marketing; multiple independent buyers; absence of human exploitation; absence of resource exploitation; and no impingement on the ability of people in other locales to meet this set of criteria. Localisation and a community base can help achieve RBFS by facilitating food democracy and reducing environmental exploitation, primarily by lowering environmental costs due to long-distance transportation. To access this article, please refer to http://www.springerlink.com/content/n1212475222500w9/.
WE THE PEOPLES 2008: GETTING TO 2015: BUILDING PARTICIPATION, SEEKING SUCCESS. By The North-South Insitute (NSI) and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). As we head past the midpoint towards 2015, the 2008 edition of the We the Peoples survey reaches out to youth groups as well as organisations working with young people, underlining the critical role of youth in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It shows that young people around the world are actively engaged in raising awareness about the MDGs and face the challenge with the utmost energy and commitment. The report also shows that we are not taking in consideration these young voices in the consultation and implementation process of the Goals. Young people must be seen as contributors to the MDGs and not just the beneficiaries. Furthermore, Getting to 2015 provides a clear picture of the progress that has been made and what needs to be done as we look forward towards achieving the MDGs by 2015. To access the paper, please refer to http://www.nsi-ins.ca/english/publications/default.asp.
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